Olives market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled olives in Western Asia showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. It increased from 2 960 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 460 thousand tons in 2019, then declined to 3 035 thousand tons in 2020. A modest recovery to 3 260 thousand tons occurred in 2021, followed by a sharp expansion to 4 980 thousand tons in 2022. The market contracted significantly the next year, falling to 2 947 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, the regional olive market faced multiple influences. Political and security challenges, including threats to the olive harvest in Palestine from occupation measures and settler attacks, impacted production. Some governments facilitated olive oil supply terms to curb future price increases, affecting product availability. Shifts in consumer behavior, driven by growing health consciousness and promotion of the Mediterranean diet, boosted demand in non-traditional markets. Additionally, climatic changes and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices continued to affect olive quality and output.

Production olives in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2019, olive production in Western Asia reached its lowest point at 2 960 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, production stood at 3 033 thousand tonnes, marking a 12.3% decrease from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 19.1%, with an average annual decrease of 6.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 21.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 16.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports olives from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Olive exports from Western Asia continued to decline for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports reached their peak at 1 271 tonnes, but by 2020, they had fallen to 413 tonnes, representing a 33.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 66.9%, with an average annual decline of 30.8%. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 51.1%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 1.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Asia exported olives to a diverse range of markets. Italy accounted for 4.2% of exports by volume, Iran for 2.5%, and Germany for 1.9%. Together, these three countries made up just 8.6% of total exports, with the remaining 91.4% going to numerous smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for olive exports from Western Asia showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, export value hit its lowest point at 993 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, it had surged to 6 769 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 581.6% increase from the previous year. The gap between these years was substantial, with 2020's value being 6.8 times higher than 2019's. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when export value dropped by 73.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of olives from Western Asia by value were Iran, accounting for 6.3% of exports, Italy at 3.5%, and the United States at 1.7%. However, their combined share was only 11.6% of total export value, indicating a highly diversified market structure with many other countries involved.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports olives to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Olive imports into Western Asia experienced considerable volatility. In 2019, imports reached their minimum at 964 tonnes, but by 2020, they had climbed to 2 471 tonnes, a 156.3% increase from the previous year. The difference between these years was significant, with 2020's volume being 2.6 times higher than 2019's. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, the main suppliers of olives to Western Asia by volume were Egypt, contributing 21.6% of imports, Greece at 10.6%, and Morocco at 1.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 33.8% of total imports, with the remaining 66.2% coming from a wide array of other sources, highlighting a diversified import structure.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for olives into Western Asia were marked by volatility. In 2019, the value was at its lowest at 1 683 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, it had risen to 5 042 thousand US dollars, a 199.6% increase from the previous year. The gap between these years was notable, with 2020's value being three times higher than 2019's. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, when import value dropped by 35.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import market for olives in Western Asia by value was characterized by a broad partner landscape. Egypt accounted for 15.0% of imports, Greece for 14.1%, and the United Kingdom for 2.3%. Combined, these three countries made up only 31.4% of total import value, with the substantial majority of 68.6% coming from many other countries, underscoring the market's diversity.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020